So, the news of today is usually bad. Sometimes it is good. What are your thoughts on the news of today? Are you depressed because of the murders... are you laughing out loud? Are you surprised that the world has become this way? Are you not surprised because the kind of stuff that appears now is not new? Or... are you happy because at least some of it is good? Others? Please specify. Here are some examples for each reaction, in my opinion:

I'm a cable news junkie, so few things really surprise me, but quite a few things depress me. It's the sad state of affairs one has to deal with when it comes to the news. Ordinary people living happy lives and doing good things generally doesn't make entertaining news, so even though good things outweigh the bad, all we ever hear about is the bad stuff.

Naked in Walmart -- No surprise at all. Have you ever been to a walmart? Have you ever been to a beach in Hawaii near one of the tourist hotels? The world is a crazy place and one naked guy in walmart isn't so big a deal. www.peopleofwalmart.com

Baby in Washing Machine -- If you read the article you'll find it was a game. The guy was playing with the kid, but didn't realize that those machines locked when started. He didn't realize it would put the baby in danger and he had no malicious intent. Sure it was a bit thickheaded but I have seen far, far worse parents and sitters. They could have done nothing at all, they could have ignored the kid and never played with it, they could have dressed it in a funny scarf and asphyxiated the child. For playing with a child and not realizing the WASHING machine doors locked (and really, why would a washing machine lock? It wouldn't occur to most people. I didn't know until the first time I had to use a laundromat in college. My old home model didn't lock). , they are not bad people. They did the right thing and immediately got help.

OBAMA and same sex marriage -- The guy is a crooked Chicago politician. He is pretty articulate, but I think he is either playing a game to win favor or doesn't know what he is doing, because he has changed stances on many subjects during his term. (Troop return/troop buildup, close Gitmo, expand police powers, etc). I'm pretty sure he would endorse beastiality if he thought it would help him win the election.

Gun in the airport -- If the guy really wanted to cause harm, he would have. I think the fact that he was so easily stopped gives credibility to his story. I have had concealed weapon's licenses myself and after a while you just get used to having it. Imagine that you went someplace cell-phones were not allowed. How easy is it to forget you brought yours with you? It is just force of habit.

Dirty Priest -- Power tends to corrupt. I think the whole Idea of the Catholic clergy is BS. The church demand that the priests deny human characteristics such as libido, requires members of the congregation to confess to all the things that a priest isn't supposed to do himself while supporting total secrecy, then make the priests community leaders and teach them that they have the power to absolve sins and control people's access to heaven. How is this not a dangerous combination? It's like trying to use a starving wolf to herd bacon-scented sheep.

People act like this is even more grievous because those involved were priests, but frankly I'm surprised that anyone still trusts the Catholic church after 3 crusades and an inquisition. There are some good people and some true believers in that organization, but as a whole the organization of the Catholic church has been nothing more than a protection racket for centuries.

As for this specific case, this particular case requires a trial. There is doubt and facts have to be reviewed after which the innocent should be absolved and the guilty punished.

Still, none of this news is all that unusual. I think some of it is blown out of proportion to inspire anger and increase viewer ratings. Worse things happen every day, just in places no one will pay to hear about.

So, the news of today is usually bad. Sometimes it is good. What are your thoughts on the news of today? Are you depressed because of the murders... are you laughing out loud? Are you surprised that the world has become this way? Are you not surprised because the kind of stuff that appears now is not new? Or... are you happy because at least some of it is good? Others? Please specify. Here are some examples for each reaction, in my opinion: